Television with integrated signal switch for console and peripheral devices

ABSTRACT

A television with integrated signal switch ( 100 ) for sharing a television screen ( 14 ), a plurality of console devices compliant with an industry standard ( 16, 18 ) and at least one peripheral devices ( 20 ) with any computer system in a plurality of computer systems ( 12 ), is provided comprising a CPU ( 30 ); a hub switch module ( 32 ) connected to the CPU ( 30 ) and configured to communicate with any of the plurality of computer systems ( 12 ), and the at least one peripheral devices ( 20 ); a device control module ( 38 ) for emulating, according to the industry standard, the plurality of console devices, connected to the CPU ( 30 ) and the hub switch module ( 32 ); a host control module ( 44 ) connected to the CPU ( 30 ) and configured to communicate with the plurality of console devices ( 16, 18 ); and a video control module ( 50 ) connected to the CPU ( 30 ) and configured to communicate with the television screen ( 14 ).

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120

The present application for patent is a continuation-in-part of patentapplication Ser. No. 10/065,375, entitled “Signal Switch for Console andPeripheral Devices,” filed Oct. 10, 2002, pending, and assigned to theassignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

The present application for patent claims priority to United Statesprovisional patent application serial No. 60/338,071, entitled“Asynchronous/Synchronous Electronic USB KVMP Switch,” filed Nov. 9,2001, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to media television displaydevices with enhanced connectivity functionality, and more particularly,to a television with integrated signal switch for console and peripheraldevices.

2. Background of the Invention

A single user or multi-user Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) switch system isa signal switch that allows a single user or multiple users,respectively, to share just a single keyboard, video device and mouse,or multiple sets of keyboards, video devices and mice (collectivelyreferred to herein as “console devices”). In addition, if a peripheraldevice such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) printer is connected to theswitch, the peripheral device can be shared as well.

USB is a standard communications architecture and protocol that gives acomputer the ability to connect to a variety of devices using a simplecable. USB utilizes a serial communication link that is capable ofoperating at multiple data speeds (e.g., 1.5, 12 and 480 megabits persecond (Mbps)). The USB protocol can configure devices at the startup ofthe computer or when they are plugged into the computer at run time.These devices are divided into various device types, or device classes.Each device class defines the common behavior and protocols for alldevices that serve similar functions.

The most current source providing information concerning the USBstandard is maintained at the following site on the World Wide Web:http://www.usb.org. Available at that source is the USB Specification,the Device Class Definition for a class of devices referred to as HumanInterface Devices (HID), and the USB HID Usage Supplement. The HID classconsists primarily of devices that are used to control the operation ofcomputer systems. Typical examples of HID class devices include:keyboards and cursor control (e.g., pointing) devices-for example,standard mouse devices, standard and multimedia keyboards, trackballs,and joysticks; front-panel controls-for example, knobs, switches,buttons, and sliders; controls that might be found on devices such astelephones, video cassette recorders (VCRs), televisions, kitchen andother appliances, and remote controls; games or simulation devices-forexample, data gloves, throttles, steering wheels, and rudder pedals; anddevices that may not require human interaction but provide data in asimilar format to HID class devices-for example, barcode readers,thermometers, or voltmeters.

A signal switch that is both a KVM and a USB peripheral sharing switchallows all computers connected to the signal switch to share any USBperipheral device coupled to the signal switch without interruption ofdata flow to that peripheral device when the signal switch is operatedto change the coupling of the console devices to different computers.This type of signal switching of KVM channels and peripheral channels toa common computer or to a different computers either asynchronously orsynchronously.

Currently, televisions may only receive and display video input from onecomputer. Thus, the television may not access multiple computers toobtain content, which limits the flexibility of the configuration of thetelevision setup. In addition, current television displays do not allowa keyboard and mouse, or similar input devices to be connected directlyto the television—either wirelessly or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an integrated solution for media displayssuch as televisions to provide a variety of functions, such as: (1)obtain and display content from multiple computers; (2) operate as acomputer display to allow a user to perform “work-related” tasks such astyping documents or accessing the Internet using picture-in-picturefeatures in the television; (3) access the Internet either by anInternet connection built into the television or through one of thecomputer connected to it; (4) obtain and display content from variousdevices that can be connected to the television, such as “thumb” drives,portable hard drives, or other storage devices with Universal Serial Bus(USB) or Firewire connections; (5) record digital content deliveredthrough other such sources as the Internet on digital recording devicesconnected directly to the television while simultaneously viewing thedigital content; and (6) obtain and display content from networks suchas a home-based broadband network.

The present invention also allows multiple user interface controldevices to be coupled to the television, such as one or more keyboards,mice, remote controls, or other user interface control devices (i.e.,console devices), to allow a user to communicate with a common computerat the same time. The inventive television provides multiple peripheralchannels so that a variety of USB or Firewire peripherals, such as hubs,printers, scanners, cameras, etc., can be connected to the television.

The present invention also provides peripheral sharing functionality forthe television that allows all computers connected to the television toshare any peripheral device that is coupled to the television, and alsoallows the switching of one or more peripheral channels to a commoncomputer or to different computers, without interruption of data flow tothat peripheral when the KVM channels are switched. In one preferredembodiment, the peripheral channels may be synchronously orasynchronously switched with the KVM channels.

The switching functionality is preferably provided in the television byintegrating a signal switch having KVM and peripheral device switchingcapabilities into the television and coupling a video output of a signalswitch to one of the video input channels inside the television, and anaudio output of the signal switch to one of the audio channels insidethe television. Thus, a television with integrated signal switch isdisclosed that is capable of sharing the television, at least oneconsole device and at least one peripheral device with any of aplurality of computer systems. The television with integrated signalswitch preferably includes switching circuitry having a centralprocessing unit (CPU) with a first memory for storing a managementprogram for managing the signal switch; a hub switch module connected tothe CPU and configured to communicate with any of the plurality ofcomputer systems and the at least one peripheral device, such that asignal passing from the hub switch module to the at least one peripheraldevice emulates signals originating from a computer; a device controlmodule for emulating a television screen and a plurality of consoledevices, the device control module connected to the CPU and the hubswitch module; a host control module connected to the CPU and configuredto communicate with the plurality of console devices; and a videocontrol module connected to the CPU and configured to communicate withthe television screen. In another preferred embodiment, part or all ofthe functionality described herein maybe contained in one ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

In another preferred embodiment, the television with integrated signalswitch further includes an on-screen display (OSD) control deviceconnected to the CPU and the video control module.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the host control module of thetelevision with integrated signal switch includes a root hub, where theat least one peripheral device is USB compliant, and the at least oneconsole device complies with an industry standard specification.

A method is also described for sharing a television screen, at least oneconsole device compliant with an industry standard and at least oneperipheral device, with any of a plurality of computer systems through atelevision with integrated signal switch. The preferred method includinginitializing the integrated signal switch; emulating the at least oneconsole device according to the industry standard; enumerating aplurality of ports of a root hub, the plurality of ports includingdownstream parts; determining whether any downstream ports exist, and,if so, enumerating at least one downstream port in the plurality ofports; determining whether the at least one console device is connectedto one of the root hub and the at least one downstream port, and, if so,then enumerating each connected console device; determining whether anyof the connected console devices is compliant with the industrystandard; enumerating each compliant connected console device andparsing any data from such compliant connected console device; andpolling repeatedly to determine whether the connected console device,the at least one peripheral device, or the at least one downstream port,has been plugged or unplugged, and, if so, resetting control.

In one preferred embodiment, a management program is used for managingthe integrated signal switch.

In another preferred embodiment, a television with integrated signalswitch is described for sharing at least one console device and aplurality of peripheral devices with any of a plurality of computersystems. The television with integrated signal switch includes a firstchannel for connecting the at least one console device to a firstselected computer system from the plurality of computer systems; asecond channel connecting the first selected computer system to aselected peripheral device from the plurality of peripheral devices, thesecond channel having a data flow between the first selected computersystem and the selected peripheral device; a third channel forconnecting the at least one console device to a second selected computersystem from the plurality of computer systems; and means for switchingthe at least one console device between the first channel and the thirdchannel without interruption of the data flow through the second channelbetween the first selected computer system and the selected peripheraldevice.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more readily understood by referring to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of one possible use of a television withintegrated signal switch configured in accordance with one preferredembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of another possible use of the televisionwith integrated signal switch;

FIG. 3 is a system diagram of another possible use of the televisionwith integrated signal switch;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the television with integrated signalswitch;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process useable in a management controlprogram for the television with integrated signal switch; and,

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer system that may be used with thetelevision with integrated signal switch.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present description is directed to a media display such as atelevision with an integrated signal switch for sharing one or morekeyboards, mice and other such peripheral devices. In one preferredembodiment, the television with integrated signal switch is created bythe integration of a single switch that is a combination of aKeyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) switch and a peripheral device sharing switchinto the television.

The integrated signal switch allows the computers connected to thetelevision with integrated signal switch to share the USB peripheraldevices connected to the integrated signal switch.

The integrated signal switch can either asynchronously or synchronouslyswitch KVM channels (i.e., data channels over which KVM data arecommunicated) and peripheral device channels (i.e., data channels overwhich peripheral device data are communicated), to a common computer ordifferent computers. In other words, KVM channels and peripheral devicechannels may be switched together (synchronously) or separately(asynchronously).

In one preferred embodiment, the peripheral devices are devicescompliant with the USB standard, and the television with integratedsignal switch utilizes USB emulation programs to emulate the HID (HumanInterface Devices) specification. The USB emulation enables thetelevision with integrated signal switch to communicate with the USBports of the computers coupled to the television. Also, through the useof USB host emulation programs, the television is able to communicatewith USB devices such as USB keyboards, USB mice, and USB hubs. In otherwords, the use of emulation allows the television with integrated signalswitch to appear as a computer to peripheral devices while appearing asperipheral devices to computers coupled to the television withintegrated signal switch. It also enables the television with integratedsignal switch to communicate with USB devices or computerssimultaneously.

Although one preferred embodiment is described with reference to thecurrent USB HID specification, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art with reference to this disclosure that the television withintegrated signal switch may be implemented with any specification fordevice interfacing.

FIG. 1 illustrates one of the many ways in which the present inventionmay be used. In a simple configuration, a television with an integratedsignal switch 100 configured in accordance with one preferred embodimentof the present invention permits a user to control a plurality ofcomputer systems 12 (represented by a first computer 121 and secondcomputer 122), and a plurality of USB compatible peripherals 20(represented by a first printer 22) with a television screen 14, firstkeyboard 16, and a first mouse 18. In this example, control of theperipheral, first printer 22, can be maintained by first computer 121even while television screen 14, first keyboard 16 and first mouse 18are used to operate second computer 122. This is because television withintegrated signal switch 100 can switch between: (1) a first channel(e.g., a first KVM channel) connecting television screen 14, firstkeyboard 16 and first mouse 18 to first computer 121 and a third channel(e.g., another KVM channel) connecting television screen 14, firstkeyboard 16 and first mouse 18 to second computer 122, while maintaininga second channel (e.g., a peripheral channel) connecting first computer121 to first printer 22 such that a first data flow between firstcomputer 121 and first printer 22 is not interrupted. In addition, asound channel may be switched with the KVM channels or independently.

With reference to FIG. 2, a more robust use of the present invention isshown, permitting a user to control the plurality of computer systems(represented by first computer 121, second computer 122, a thirdcomputer 123, and a fourth computer 124), and plurality of USBcompatible peripherals 20 with television screen 14, first keyboard 16,and first mouse 18. Note that it is possible to have a plurality of USBhubs 24 also connected to television with integrated signal switch 100,which in turn can connect to peripherals such as a scanner 241, or oneor more downstream hubs such as a downstream hub 242, which in turn maybe connected to one or more peripherals such as a second printer 2421.It thus can be seen that a “tree” of hubs/peripherals can be connectedto television with integrated signal switch 100 and thus controlledsynchronously or asynchronously by one or more computers in plurality ofcomputer systems 12 under the management of television screen 14, firstkeyboard 16, and first mouse 18.

For example, a first data flow between first computer 121 and firstprinter 22, a second data flow between third computer 123 and scanner241, and a third data flow between fourth computer 124 and secondprinter 2421 all could be maintained without interruption while keyboard16 and mouse 18, and optionally television screen 14, are switched amongthe computers in plurality of computer systems 12.

Peripheral devices that can be connected with the present inventioninclude but are not limited to USB compliant devices such as USB hubs,printers, scanners and cameras.

With reference to FIG. 3, in a still further use of the presentinvention, by way of example it is possible to connect multiple keyboardand mouse devices such as a second keyboard 161, a third keyboard 162, asecond mouse 181, a third mouse 182, a first composite keyboard/mousedevice 191 and a second composite keyboard/mouse device 192 totelevision with integrated signal switch 100. In one preferredembodiment, television 100 only has two USB console ports, and, toconnect more than two devices, one or more downstream hubs must beconnected, such as a first downstream hub 171 and a second downstreamhub 172, to which may be connected one or more other keyboard, mouse orother console devices.

With reference to FIG. 4, television with integrated signal switch 100includes a CPU 30 for managing the signal switching functionality oftelevision with integrated signal switch 100. A USB hub switch module 32is connected to CPU 30 and is configured to communicate with thecomputers in plurality of computer systems 12 through a first pluralityof input/output ports 34. An audio switch 72 is also coupled to thecomputers in plurality of computer systems 12 through plurality ofinput/output ports 34. As described further below, audio switch 72 iscoupled to the audio ports of the computers in plurality of computersystems 12 to provide audio switching capability to television withintegrated signal switch 100. USB hub switch module 32 is alsoconfigured to communicate with plurality of peripheral devices 20through a second plurality of output ports 36. In FIG. 4, fourconnections are shown between first plurality of input/output ports 34and USB hub switch module 32, and four connections are shown betweenfirst plurality of input/output ports 34 and audio switch 72, but theseare by way of example only. The number of connections will equal thenumber of computers in plurality of computer systems 12 with which thetelevision with integrated signal switch 100 is designed tointeroperate. Likewise, in FIG. 4, two connections are shown between asecond plurality of output ports 36 and USB hub switch module 32, butthis is also by way of example only. The number of connections willequal the number of peripheral output ports with which television withintegrated signal switch 100 is designed to interoperate.

Audio switch 72 is coupled to an audio circuit 74 of television withintegrated signal switch 100. Audio circuit 74 includes audio circuitrynormally found on a television set, and may include pre-amplifiers,switches, amplifiers, speakers and/or microphones. Audio switch 72 isalso coupled to and controlled by CPU 30. Audio switch 72 provides therouting of the audio signals received from the computers in plurality ofcomputer systems 12 to audio circuit 74 such that audio from any of thecomputers in plurality of computer systems 12 may be coupled to audiocircuit 74. For example, in one preferred embodiment, first computer 121and second computer 122 contain each contains a computer sound card thatallows the computer to generate sound through a speaker plugged into thesound card, or record sound through a microphone plugged into the soundcard. Instead of directly being coupled to a speaker, the soundinputs/outputs of first computer 121 and second computer 122 may beconnected to television with integrated switch 100 through audio switch72. Sound is then output and/or input to first computer 121 and secondcomputer 122 from any speakers and/or microphones, respectively, coupledto television with integrated switch 100. For example, audio switch 72can be switched to couple the sound output/input of first computer 121to audio circuit 74. In another example, audio switch 72 can also beswitched to couple the sound output/input of second computer 121 toaudio circuit 74. In yet another example, audio switch 72 can beswitched to couple the sound output of first computer 121 and the soundinput of second computer 122 to audio circuit 74.

USB hub switch module 32 is a bridge between plurality of peripheraldevices 20 and plurality of computer systems 12 and allows televisionwith integrated signal switch 100 to connect each computer system ofplurality of computer systems 12 to one or more peripheral devices. Inone preferred embodiment, USB hub switch module 32 includes 4 USB hubsand matrix analog switches that are controlled by firmware for CPU 30.As an example, Texas Instruments® manufactures USB Hub chips that aresuitable for this module, and the module can be constructed usingApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design methodology.

A USB device control module 38 for controlling signals is connected toCPU 30 and USB HUB switch module 32. USB device control module 38comprises USB device emulation circuitry that is used to emulate variousconsole devices, such as first keyboard 16 and first mouse 18, for firstplurality of input/output ports 34. In other words, for example, byhaving USB device emulation circuitry that emulates virtual consoledevices that are attached to first computer 121, actual console devices(e.g., first keyboard 16 and first mouse 18) may be switched to secondcomputer 122 or other computers, leaving any channels between firstcomputer 121 and peripherals connected. Thus, any data flow in suchchannels remain uninterrupted, with first computer 121 still processingas if the actual console devices, now emulated, were still connected.The USB device emulation circuitry is controlled by the firmware for CPU30. In one preferred embodiment, the USB device emulation circuitry isin the form of a computer chip and one chip is used for each computer inplurality of computer systems 12.

In FIG. 4, four connections are shown between USB device control module38 and USB hub switch module 32, but this is by way of example only. Thenumber of connections will equal the number of computers in plurality ofcomputer systems 12 with which television with integrated signal switch100 is designed to interoperate. In one preferred embodiment, USB devicecontrol module 38 includes USB device emulation circuitry for four (4)devices and the USB device emulation circuitry is also controlled by thefirmware for CPU 30. As an example, Philips Semiconductors® makes chipssuitable for use in this module, and the module may also be constructedusing Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design methodology.

In one preferred embodiment, CPU 30 comprises a first memory 40 forstoring a management program 42 for managing the operation of televisionwith integrated signal switch 100. A flowchart of the operation of aportion of management program 42 suitable for use in television withintegrated signal switch 100 is illustrated in FIG. 5 and describedbelow.

A USB host control module 44 is configured to communicate with aplurality of console devices and is connected to CPU 30. USB hostcontrol module 44 itself comprises a root hub 46 for communicating withone or more console devices or downstream hubs through a third pluralityof output ports 48. Root hub 46 is a USB compatible hub.

As shown in FIG. 3, one or more downstream hubs may be connected totelevision with integrated the signal switch 100, such as firstdownstream hub 171 and second downstream hub 172, communicating withroot hub 46 through one of the ports in third plurality of output ports48. In one preferred embodiment, it is possible to daisy chain up to 127devices by adding additional downstream hubs.

In one preferred embodiment, third plurality of output ports 48 comprisetwo physical ports. Optionally, in a different preferred embodiment, aninternal additional console USB hub (not shown) may be connected to roothub 46 to increase the number of third plurality of output ports 48available for connecting console devices. In addition, the firmware forCPU 30 has the ability to handle hub functions.

A video/panel control device module 50 is connected to CPU 30 forcommunicating with a variety of optional panel display devices 54 (shownin broken lines), such as light panels, LEDs, buttons, video controllerswitches, or other optional panel devices. If an on screen display(“OSD”) function is provided, then an optional OSD control device module56 (shown in broken lines) is connected to CPU 30 and video/panelcontrol device module 50 for controlling and adjusting signals totelevision screen 14 through a fourth output port 52 coupled totelevision screen 14. In one preferred embodiment, television withintegrated signal switch 100 is capable of providing a picture inpicture (PIP) display on television screen 14. For example, the PIPdisplay may be comprised of a first frame displaying content receivedfrom a standard television content source such as an antenna, Cable, orsatellite disk, and a second frame, superimposed on the first frame,displaying content received from one of the computer systems of theplurality of computer systems 12 through television with integratedsignal switch 100. The superimposition may be reversed, or the framesmay be displayed next to each other. In another example, the frames maydisplay content received from a different computer systems. More thantwo frames may be displayed on television screen 14, each receiving anddisplaying content from a different source (e.g., one of the computersystems of the plurality of computer systems 12 and/or the standardtelevision content source).

With reference to FIG. 5, the operation of a portion of a managementprogram 42 suitable for use in the present invention is described asfollows. In step 210, television with integrated signal switch 100 isinitialized. In step 212, root hub 46 is enumerated and any root hubmessage from root hub 46 is saved. In step 214 it is determined whetherany device is connected to root hub 46. If a device is determined to beconnected to root hub 46, operation continues with step 216, otherwiseoperation continues with step 226.

In step 216, each device that is determined to be connected to root hub46 is enumerated, and a device message from each USB device determinedto be connected to root hub 46 is parsed and saved in a suitable memory.

Next, in step 218, it is determined whether any downstream hub isconnected to root hub 46. If no downstream hub is determined to beconnected to root hub 46, operation proceeds with step 228. If adownstream hub is detected, operation proceeds with step 220. In step220, each downstream hub determined to be connected to root hub 46 isenumerated and a downstream port status of the hub is received.Operation then proceeds with step 222.

In step 222, it is determined whether any device exists in a port of adownstream hub. If no device is determined to exist in a port of adownstream hub, operation proceeds with step 228. If, in step 222, adevice is determined to exist in a port of downstream hub, operationprocess with step 224, where each such device is enumerated and aconnecting device message is parsed and saved in memory of the host.Operation then proceeds with step 228.

In step 228, it is determined whether the connected device is a HIDkeyboard or mouse or other HID compliant device. As will be evident tothose skilled in the art with reference to this disclosure, this stepcould test for compliance with any desired industry standard or deviceclass (e.g., the USB HID device class). If the connected device is notsuch a device, operation proceeds with step 232, which is an errorprocess that results in resetting USB host control module 44 in step240. If the connected device is determined to be compliant, then, instep 230, each such connected device is enumerated and its report datais parsed. In one preferred embodiment, the requirement for thecompliance test is that television with integrated signal switch 100 hasbeen constructed to only emulate certain console devices that complywith an industry standard device class.

Operation then continues with step 226, where HUB switch module 32 ispolled. In optional step 234, any panel or LED circuit is polled. Instep 238, it is determined whether any downstream ports are unplugged orplugged. If a downstream port is unplugged or plugged, operationproceeds with step 240, where the HOST control RAM is reset. Afterresetting the HOST control RAM in step 240, operation returns to step212. Otherwise, operation proceeds with step 242, where all KVM devicesare polled and operation returns to step 234.

In one preferred embodiment, CPU 30 controls USB and console deviceemulation. However, it is not necessary for CPU 30 to control the USBperipherals, since there is a path or channel between the USBperipherals and respective computers in plurality of computer systems 12that is undisturbed by switching the channels between the keyboard andmouse devices and respective computers in plurality of computer systems12.

The HID specification defines a quasi-language for the HID-compliant USBdevice to inform the host how to interpret the data that the hostreceives. This quasi-language is flexible and permits many alternativesfor describing the same functionality. Television with integrated signalswitch 100 will be useable with other industry standard specificationsthat define procedures that allow a host to interpret the data that thehost receives from a device compliant with these industry standards.

An exemplary Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID)Firmware Specification—Jun. 27, 2001, Version 1.11, is available athttp://www.usb.org/developers/docs/ and is incorporated herein. The mostcurrent version of the specification and other HID related informationis maintained at http://www.usb.org/.

Using a bus analyzer, such as one available currently from ComputerAccess Technology Corp., it is possible to read the USB bus and analyzethe data packets coming from a keyboard and a mouse. The HIDspecification provides interpretation of the meaning of each packet. Byrequiring that all console devices be compliant with the HIDspecification, or some future standard specification, it will only benecessary to emulate such HID or standards-compliant devices.

In one preferred embodiment, as noted herein, the programs to be used inthe system, which include the USB hub switch control program, the USBdevice emulation circuitry (i.e. device emulation) control program, andthe console device emulation (i.e., Host emulation) program, are allbuilt in CPU 30 (e.g. as a Flash Read Only Memory (ROM), or ProgrammableROM (PROM)). Thus, the USB emulation program will make television withintegrated signal switch 100 appear as a computer to peripheral devices,and enable television with integrated signal switch 100 to communicatewith USB devices or computers at the same time.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a computer system 600 in which thefeatures of the present invention may be implemented. In one preferredembodiment, each of the computers in plurality of computer systems 12has some or all of the characteristics of computer system 600. Computersystem 600 includes a bus 602 for communicating information between thecomponents in computer system 600, and a processor 604 coupled with bus602 for executing software code, or instructions, and processinginformation. Computer system 600 further comprises a main memory 606,which may be implemented using random access memory (RAM) and/or otherrandom memory storage device, coupled to bus 602 for storing informationand instructions to be executed by processor 604. Main memory 606 alsomay be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediateinformation during execution of instructions by processor 604. Computersystem 600 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 608 and/or otherstatic storage device coupled to bus 602 for storing static informationand instructions for processor 604. Further, a mass storage device 610,such as a magnetic disk drive and/or a optical disk drive, may becoupled to computer system 600 for storing information and instructions.

Computer system 600 is typically coupled via bus 602 to a display device634, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD),for displaying information to a user so that, for example, graphical ortextual information may be presented to the user on display device 634.In one preferred embodiment, instead of being coupled to display device634, computer system 600 is coupled to television with integrated signalswitch 100 as described above. Typically, an alphanumeric input device636, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 602 forcommunicating information and/or user commands to processor 604. Anothertype of user input device shown in the figure is a cursor control device638, such as a conventional mouse, touch mouse, trackball, track pad orother type of cursor direction key for communicating directioninformation and command selection to processor 604 and for controllingmovement of a cursor on display 634. Various types of input devices,including, but not limited to, the input devices described herein unlessotherwise noted, allow the user to provide command or input to computersystem 600. For example, in the various descriptions contained herein,reference may be made to a user “selecting,” “clicking,” or “inputting,”and any grammatical variations thereof, one or more items in a userinterface. These should be understood to mean that the user is using oneor more input devices to accomplish the input. Although not illustrated,computer system 600 may optionally include such devices as a videocamera, speakers, a sound card, or many other conventional computerperipheral options. In one preferred embodiment, the various types ofinput devices are the ones coupled to television with integrated signalswitch 100 and, also through such connection, communicate with computersystem 600.

A communication device 640 is also coupled to bus 602 for accessingother computer systems, as described below. Communication device 640 mayinclude a modem, a network interface card, or other well-known interfacedevices, such as those used for interfacing with Ethernet, Token-ring,or other types of networks, including the Internet. In this manner,computer system 600 may be coupled to a number of other computersystems.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It should be appreciatedthat the present invention should not be construed as limited by suchembodiments, but rather construed according to the below claims.

The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuitsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor,but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventionalprocessor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processormay also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., acombination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, such that theprocessor can read information from, and write information to, thestorage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integralto the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in anASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, theprocessor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in auser terminal.

The embodiments described above are exemplary embodiments. Those skilledin the art may now make numerous uses of, and departures from, theabove-described embodiments without departing from the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein. Various modifications to these embodimentsmay be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments, e.g., ina Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)-based displays or televisions; CathodeRay Tube(CRT)-based displays or televisions; or plasma-based displays ortelevisions, without departing from the spirit or scope of the novelaspects described herein. Thus, the scope of the invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein. The word “exemplary” is used exclusivelyherein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Anyembodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.Accordingly, the present invention is to be defined solely by the scopeof the following claims.

1. A television for sharing a television screen, a plurality of consoledevices compliant with an industry standard, and at least one peripheraldevice with any computer in a plurality of computer systems, comprising:a central processing unit (CPU); a hub switch module coupled to the CPUand configured to communicate with any computer system in the pluralityof computer systems and the at least one peripheral device for couplingthe at least one peripheral device and any computer system in theplurality of computer systems; a host control module coupled to the CPUand configured to communicate with the plurality of console devices; anda video control module coupled to the CPU and configured to communicatewith the television screen.
 2. The television of claim 1, wherein theCPU comprising a first memory for storing a management program formanaging the television with integrated signal switch.
 3. The televisionof claim 1, wherein the television further comprises an audio circuitand an audio switch coupled to the CPU and configured to communicatewith at least one computer system in the plurality of computer systemsto selectively receive and route audio signals between the at least onecomputer system and the audio circuit.
 4. The television of claim 1,wherein the video control module is coupled to the plurality of computersystems and configured to cause the television screen to display, in afirst frame, content received from a first computer system in theplurality of computer systems, and, in a second frame, content receivedfrom a second computer system in the plurality of computer systems. 5.The television of claim 1, wherein the video control module is coupledto the plurality of computer systems and configured to cause thetelevision screen to display, in a first frame, content received from afirst computer system in the plurality of computer systems, and, in asecond frame, content received from another source.
 6. The television ofclaim 1, wherein a first console devices is coupled to the host controlmodule, the at least one peripheral device is coupled to a firstcomputer system in the plurality of computer systems, and the firstconsole device is switchable between the first computer system and asecond computer system in the plurality of computer systems withoutinterrupting the coupling of the at least one peripheral device to thefirst computer system.
 7. The television of claim 1, further comprisinga device control module coupled to the CPU and the hub switch module foremulating, according to the industry standard, the plurality of consoledevices.
 8. The television of claim 1, further comprising an On ScreenDisplay (OSD) control device coupled to the CPU and the video controlmodule.
 9. The television of claim 1, wherein the host control modulecomprises a root hub.
 10. A method for sharing a television screen, aplurality of console devices compliant with an industry standard and atleast one peripheral device with any of a plurality of computer systemsthrough a television with integrated signal switch, comprising:initializing the television with integrated signal switch; emulating atleast one console device of the plurality of console devices accordingto the industry standard; enumerating a plurality of ports of a root hubin the television with integrated signal switch; determining whether anydownstream ports exists, and if so, enumerating the downstream ports;determining whether any of the plurality of console devices is connectedto at least one of: (i) the root hub, and (ii) any downstream ports; andif so, then enumerating each connected console device; determiningwhether any of the connected console devices is compliant with theindustry standard; enumerating each compliant connected console deviceand parsing any data from such compliant connected console device; andpolling repeatedly to determine whether at least one of: (i) any of thecompliant connected console devices, (ii) any of the one and more thanone peripheral device, and (iii) any downstream port; has beendisconnected, and if so, resetting control.
 11. The method of claim 10,further comprising polling repeatedly to determine whether at least oneof: (i) an unconnected console device, (ii) an unconnected peripheraldevice, and (iii) an unconnected downstream port; has been connected,and if so, resetting control.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereinemulating the at least one consoled device comprises emulating a consoledevice to the plurality of computer systems.
 13. A television forsharing at least one console device and at least one peripheral devicewith any computer system in a plurality of computer systems, comprising:a first channel for coupling the at least one console device to a firstselected computer system from the plurality of computer systems; asecond channel for coupling the first selected computer system to the atleast one peripheral device, the second channel for carrying a data flowbetween the first selected computer system and the at least oneperipheral device; a third channel for coupling the at least one consoledevice to a second selected computer system from the plurality ofcomputer systems; and console device switching circuitry coupled to thefirst channel and the third channel for switching the at least oneconsole device between the first channel and the third channel withoutinterrupting the data flow.
 14. The television of claim 13, wherein theat least one console device comprises a television screen in thetelevision.
 15. The television of claim 13, further comprising a fourthchannel for coupling a second peripheral device to the first selectedcomputer system, the fourth channel carrying a second data flow betweenthe first selected computer system and the second peripheral device,wherein the console device switching circuitry can switch the at leastone console device between the first channel and the third channelwithout interrupting the second data flow.
 16. The television of claim13, further comprising: a fourth channel for coupling the at least oneperipheral device to the second selected computer system, the fourthchannel for carrying a second data flow between the second selectedcomputer system and the at least one peripheral device; and a peripheraldevice switching circuitry coupled to the second channel and the fourthchannel for switching the at least one peripheral device between thesecond channel and the fourth channel.
 17. The television of claim 16,wherein the console device switching circuitry is configured to switchthe at least one console device between the first channel and the thirdchannel without interrupting the second data flow.
 18. A method forcreating a device for sharing a display, a plurality of console devicescompliant with an industry standard and at least one peripheral devicewith any of a plurality of computer systems, comprising: providing atelevision comprising a television screen; and, integrating a videoswitch with the television, the video switch comprising: a centralprocessing unit (CPU); a hub switch module coupled to the CPU andconfigured to communicate with any computer system in the plurality ofcomputer systems and the at least one peripheral device for coupling theat least one peripheral device and any computer system in the pluralityof computer systems; a host control module coupled to the CPU andconfigured to communicate with the plurality of console devices; and avideo control module coupled to the CPU and configured to communicatewith the television screen.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the CPUcomprising a first memory for storing a management program for managingthe television with integrated signal switch.
 20. The method of claim18, wherein the video control module is coupled to the plurality ofcomputer systems and configured to cause the television screen todisplay, in a first frame, content received from a first computer systemin the plurality of computer systems, and, in a second frame, contentreceived from a second computer system in the plurality of computersystems.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the video control module iscoupled to the plurality of computer systems and configured to cause thetelevision screen to display, in a first frame, content received from afirst computer system in the plurality of computer systems, and, in asecond frame, content received from another source.
 22. The method ofclaim 18, wherein a first console devices is coupled to the host controlmodule, the at least one peripheral device is coupled to a firstcomputer system in the plurality of computer systems, and the firstconsole device is switchable between the first computer system and asecond computer system in the plurality of computer systems withoutinterrupting the coupling of the at least one peripheral device to thefirst computer system.
 23. The method of claim 18, further comprising adevice control module coupled to the CPU and the hub switch module foremulating, according to the industry standard, the plurality of consoledevices.
 24. The method of claim 1, further comprising an On ScreenDisplay (OSD) control device coupled to the CPU and the video controlmodule.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the host control modulecomprises a root hub.